Who says spare change doesn’t add up? Not Oxford High School’s National Honor Society.
NHS recently conducted a spare change drive over a two-week period by placing collection jugs in all the school’s classrooms.
The drive raised $1,600 to benefit the HAVEN (Help Against Violent Encounters Now) shelter in Pontiac.
‘We were amazed when we started adding it up,? said NHS Advisor Dan Sargent. ‘I can’t believe the generosity of these kids.?
The money will be used to improve the children’s room at HAVEN’s 24-hour emergency shelter, which provides temporary housing for victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault and their children.
Helping HAVEN was the idea of NHS President and senior Kati Schmidt. ‘I used to have to go there and I know how tough it is to be a victim of verbal and domestic abuse,? she said. ‘I really wanted to do something for these kids because they don’t have a lot of fun stuff in their lives, so I wanted to brighten up their day.?
HAVEN’s children’s room is a place where kids can play, read books, hang out and talk to counselors, according to Schmidt.
NHS is still working with HAVEN to determine exactly how the $1,600 will be spent.
‘They’re going to give us a list of needs they have,? Sargent said.